Have you ever picked up a Rubik’s Cube, scrambled it, and then stared blankly, wondering how do you solve a Rubik’s cube? You’re not alone! Millions are captivated by this colorful puzzle, but many find themselves stuck after only a few turns. There are various methods to conquer this iconic cube, from advanced techniques used by speedcubers to simpler approaches perfect for beginners. Even solving the cube blindfolded is a fascinating challenge for some! The biggest hurdle for most newcomers is getting past that initial white face and understanding the next steps.
This guide will walk you through the easiest and most popular method for beginners – the layer-by-layer method. We’ll break down each stage, providing clear instructions and algorithms to guide you to a solved Rubik’s Cube.
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Contents
Solving the Rubik’s Cube: A Layer-by-Layer Approach
This tutorial focuses on a beginner-friendly method that tackles the Rubik’s Cube one layer at a time. By mastering a few simple algorithms for each stage, you’ll systematically solve the cube without disrupting your progress. Each step is designed to build upon the previous one, ensuring a smooth learning curve. For a deeper dive into any specific stage, you can click on the links provided for more detailed explanations and examples.
Step 2: Completing the White Corners
Step 5: Orienting the Yellow Edges
Step 6: Permuting the Yellow Corners
Step 7: Orienting the Yellow Corners (Final Step)
Example Solve Animation
To visualize the layer-by-layer method in action, watch this animation. It demonstrates how each step flows into the next, starting with the white face and progressing to the final yellow layer. Observe how the white edges and corners are fixed first, followed by the second layer, and finally, the yellow face is completed. Press the Play button to start the animation.
Explore Advanced Solving Techniques
Video Tutorial for Beginners
For many learners, a video tutorial can significantly enhance understanding. Following along with a visual guide alongside written instructions can make the process of learning how do you solve a rubik’s cube much smoother and more intuitive. A video allows you to see the rotations in real-time, making it easier to grasp each step. You can pause, rewind, and practice each move at your own pace.
Understanding Rubik’s Cube Notation
Before diving into the steps, familiarizing yourself with basic cubing terminology and Rubik’s Cube notation is crucial. Algorithms are written using letters that represent specific face rotations. Here’s a quick guide to the notation we’ll be using:
Faces:
- F – Front face
- R – Right face
- U – Up face
- L – Left face
- D – Down face
Rotations:
- Clockwise (90 degrees): F, R, U, L, D (simply the letter)
- Counter-clockwise (90 degrees): F’, R’, U’, L’, D’ (letter followed by an apostrophe)
- 180 degrees (either direction): F2, R2, U2, L2, D2 (letter followed by 2)
| Rotation Type | Notation Examples |
|---|---|
| Clockwise Rotations (90°) | F R U L D |
| Counter-Clockwise Rotations (90°) | F’ R’ U’ L’ D’ |
If you ever feel lost or make a mistake, don’t worry! The online Rubik’s Cube solver program is a fantastic tool. Simply input your cube’s current state, and it will provide you with step-by-step instructions to solve it.
To track your progress and improve your solving speed, try using an online Rubik’s Cube Timer. For practice scrambles, the scramble generator will create random scrambles to keep your skills sharp.
Step 1: Building the White Cross
Learn more about building the white cross
We’ll begin our how do you solve a rubik’s cube journey by focusing on the white face. Our first goal is to create a white cross on the top face. This means positioning the white edge pieces so that they form a cross shape, and importantly, each white edge piece must also match the color of the center piece on the side faces.
Before jumping into algorithms, try to solve the white cross intuitively. This is a great way to develop a feel for the cube and how the pieces move. Experiment with different moves and see if you can bring the white edges into the correct positions without disrupting other pieces.
Correct white cross: Notice how the white edges align with the center colors on each side face.
Incorrect white cross: The white edges are in a cross shape, but the side colors do not match the center pieces. This is not a correctly solved white cross.
If you need a little guidance, this detailed guide provides animated algorithms and further explanations to help you form the white cross correctly.
Step 2: Solving the White Corners
Detailed instructions for solving white corners
With the white cross complete, our next step in how do you solve a rubik’s cube is to solve the white corners. This will complete the entire first white face. If you successfully created the white cross on your own, challenge yourself to solve the white corners intuitively as well!
The key is to bring each white corner piece to its correct position in the top layer. Start by rotating the bottom layer (D layer) to bring a white corner piece directly underneath its target position in the top layer (U layer). Then, depending on the orientation of the white color on the corner piece (whether it’s facing right, front, or down), you’ll use one of the following algorithms.
If a white corner is already in the correct position but incorrectly oriented, you’ll first need to “pop it out” using one of the algorithms and then re-insert it correctly.
For a comprehensive breakdown of the algorithms and scenarios for solving white corners, refer to this guide.
White face solved: The white cross and white corners are now correctly placed, completing the first face.
Step 3: Completing the Second Layer (F2L – First Two Layers)
Learn how to solve the second layer of the Rubik’s Cube
Now that the white face is complete, we move on to the second layer. In this stage of how do you solve a rubik’s cube, we’ll be inserting the middle layer edge pieces. We will be using algorithms for this step, as it becomes less intuitive than the first two steps.
Turn the cube upside down, so the white face is now on the bottom. We’ll be working with the top layer (U layer) and the middle layer. There are two main algorithms for this step: the “Left Algorithm” and the “Right Algorithm.” These algorithms are designed to insert an edge piece from the top layer into the middle layer without disturbing the solved white face.
Identify an edge piece in the top layer that needs to go into the second layer. Rotate the top layer until the front color of this edge piece matches the center color of the front face. Now, check the color on the top of this edge piece.
- If the top color needs to go to the Left: Use the Left Algorithm: U’ L’ U L U F U’ F’
- If the top color needs to go to the Right: Use the Right Algorithm: U R U’ R’ U’ F’ U F
Incorrect orientation: If the edge piece is in the top layer but oriented incorrectly, apply the appropriate algorithm twice to correctly position it.
Second layer solved (F2L): The first two layers are now complete.
If an edge piece is already in the second layer but in the wrong position or orientation, you’ll need to use an algorithm to temporarily replace it with a top layer piece, effectively bringing the misplaced piece back to the top layer to be correctly inserted.
See these F2L algorithms in action and learn more tips here.
Step 4: Making the Yellow Cross on the Top
Step-by-step instructions for creating the yellow cross
We’re now on the last layer! Our next goal in how do you solve a rubik’s cube is to create a yellow cross on the top face. At this stage, we don’t need to worry about matching the yellow edge colors with the side centers yet.
There are three possible patterns you might encounter on the yellow top face:
- Dot: Only the center yellow piece is showing.
- L-Shape: A yellow “L” shape in a corner.
- Line: A horizontal yellow line.
- Cross: Yellow cross already formed (skip to the next step!).
We will use the same algorithm repeatedly to move from one pattern to the next until we achieve the yellow cross. The algorithm is: F R U R’ U’ F’
- From a Dot: Apply the algorithm three times.
- From an L-Shape: Hold the cube so the “L” shape is in the top left corner (as shown in the image below) and apply the algorithm twice.
- From a Line: Hold the cube so the line is horizontal and apply the algorithm once.
Yellow Cross Algorithm: F R U R’ U’ F’
Yellow cross on the top: A yellow cross is now formed on the top face.
For a more detailed explanation and visual aids for forming the yellow cross, click here.
Step 5: Positioning the Yellow Edges
Instructions on swapping yellow edges
With the yellow cross in place, the next step in how do you solve a rubik’s cube is to correctly position the yellow edge pieces so that their side colors match the center pieces of the side faces.
Examine the yellow edge pieces. You might find that some or all of them are in the correct positions. We need to cycle the yellow edges until they are all correctly aligned.
Use the following algorithm to swap (cycle) the front, right, and left yellow edge pieces: R U R’ U R U2 R’ U
Algorithm to switch yellow edges: R U R’ U R U2 R’ U
Yellow edges done: The yellow edges are now in their correct positions, matching the side center colors.
You may need to apply this algorithm multiple times to correctly position all the yellow edges. Rotate the top layer (U layer) between applications of the algorithm to cycle different edges into the front, right, and left positions.
Step 6: Permuting the Yellow Corners (Getting Corners to the Right Spots)
Learn how to position yellow corner pieces
Now we’re getting very close to a solved cube! In this step of how do you solve a rubik’s cube, we’ll focus on getting the yellow corner pieces into their correct positions. Don’t worry about their orientation (how they are twisted) at this stage, just focus on getting the right corner pieces in the right spots.
Inspect the yellow corners. Look for a corner that is already in its correct position (even if it’s not oriented correctly). If you find one, hold that corner in the top-right-front (URF) position. If no corners are in the correct position, just pick any corner to be in the URF position and apply the algorithm once to start the process.
Use the following algorithm to cycle the three corner pieces (URF, UBL, ULF) as indicated in the image: U R U’ L’ U R’ U’ L
Algorithm to permute yellow corners: U R U’ L’ U R’ U’ L
Read more about permuting yellow corners here.
Apply this algorithm until all yellow corners are in their correct positions. You may need to apply it once or twice. Remember to rotate only the top layer (U layer) to bring different corners into the URF position and repeat the algorithm.
Step 7: Orienting the Yellow Corners (Final Step!)
Detailed instructions for orienting yellow corners
This is the final step in how do you solve a rubik’s cube! All pieces are now in their correct positions, but the yellow corners might be twisted. We just need to orient them to complete the solve. This step can be a bit tricky, so pay close attention.
Hold the cube with an unsolved yellow corner in the top-right-front (URF) position. Perform the following algorithm repeatedly until this specific corner is correctly oriented (yellow facing upwards): R’ D’ R D
Algorithm for orienting corners: R’ D’ R D
Corners need orientation: The corners are in the right positions, but the yellow faces are not all facing upwards.
The cube is solved! Congratulations!
It will look like you are messing up the cube as you perform this algorithm, but don’t worry, this is normal! Once the first corner is oriented, rotate only the top layer (U layer) to bring another unsolved yellow corner to the URF position. Repeat the R’ D’ R D algorithm until this corner is also oriented. Continue this process for all remaining unsolved yellow corners. Crucially, only rotate the U layer to move to the next corner, do not rotate the entire cube!
This step is where many beginners get confused, so take your time and focus on correctly applying the algorithm and rotating only the top layer between corners.
If you’re still finding this step confusing, check out these examples for orienting yellow corners.
Repeat this process until your Rubik’s Cube is solved! 🙂
Still Finding it Too Difficult? Here are some alternatives:
- Explore another guide at Rubik’s Cube Tutorial or CubeSolve.com.
- Use the Online Rubik’s Cube Solver, input your scramble and let the program guide you to the solution.
